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Is this progress, or a sight for sore eyes?
THIS is how a controversial South Yorkshire wind farm will look, according to the company behind the scheme.
The firm which hopes to build five of the largest on-shore wind turbines in the country near Stocksbridge has unveiled new mock-up photos of how they would look.
The 410ft structures would be built at Sheep House Heights beside the Stocksbridge Bypass near Midhopestones, overlooking Langsett Valley.
Evelop UK Ltd says it has redesigned the images after receiving feedback on the original designs submitted with the planning application last year.
Now it is holding two public exhibitions following consultations with Barnsley Council, Natural England, the RSPB and the Highways Agency.
Opponents say the giant structures, which would be just outside the Peak National Park, would ruin the view and they would be another step towards turning the area between Stocksbridge and Penistone into 'the wind farm capital of the country'.
There are currently 13 85m turbines at Spicer Hill, near Penistone, and a planning application has been submitted for three 100m turbines at Blackstone Edge, near Royd Moor.
Evelop says the Sheep House Heights windfarm would generate enough electricity to power more than 9,000 homes.
It says more than 16 sites were searched across South Yorkshire to find the best location for a wind farm and Sheephouse Heights came out top because the site is windy, close to the grid and has good transport access.
Olly Buck, project manager for Evelop, said: "We have listened to feedback on our proposals since submission of the planning application and have redesigned the images.
"We think they give a better view and understanding of how the wind farm could look.
"It's exactly this type of wind farm that could help play its part in helping to tackle climate change, but we want to hear what the community thinks at our exhibitions."
The planning application for Sheep House Heights wind farm was submitted last May.
The exhibitions are at The Venue, Manchester Road, Stocksbridge, tomorrow from 10am to 7pm, and at St Andrew's Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Penistone, on Friday from 8am to 5pm.
Wind farm and environment specialists will be on hand to answer questions and to talk about the need for renewable energy.
What do you think? Add your comment below.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
